Tuluva Community Criticizes Kantara: Chapter 1 for Distorting Sacred Traditions

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1, the prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, has taken the box office by storm, grossing over Rs 470 crore worldwide in its first eight days and breaking records in Karnataka. However, the mythological epic drama has stirred significant controversy in its home state, with the Tuluva community accusing Shetty and Hombale Films of exploiting and disrespecting their sacred Daivaradhane traditions.

The Tuluva community, native to coastal Karnataka, has voiced strong objections to the film’s portrayal of Daivaradhane, a revered spiritual practice involving the worship of Daivas (spirits). Critics argue that the film commercializes these ancient traditions and introduces factual inaccuracies, particularly in depicting Daivas as violent and altering their cultural significance. Social media platforms like X and Reddit have amplified the outrage, with users condemning the filmmakers for fictionalizing sacred rituals in a way that they believe undermines their spiritual essence.

One X user, Vije (@vijeshetty), questioned the film’s portrayal, writing, “Why did movie fictionalize and showed the Daivas in a horror violent way and modifying the entire relations of Guliga, Chvundi hurting the believers?” Another user criticized the franchise for “minting money in the name of Daivas,” arguing that such traditions should not be imitated for commercial gain. A Reddit user from Mangalore emphasized the cultural significance of Bhootha Kola, a community ritual honoring spirits, noting that the film distorts its primal, harmonious nature by presenting Bhoothas as deities rather than spirits integral to the region’s pre-Vedic traditions.

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The controversy has escalated with reports that Daivaradhakas, practitioners of Daivaradhane, have approached the Bajpe Daivasthana in Mangalore to lodge formal complaints against the filmmakers. They allege that Kantara: Chapter 1 exploits sacred practices for profit, particularly as videos have surfaced showing theatergoers imitating Daivaradhana performers, a practice the community deems disrespectful. While such imitations are not directly the fault of Shetty or Hombale Films, the community argues that the franchise’s commercialization has encouraged these acts.

Hombale Films issued a notice warning against imitating sacred rituals in theaters, but the post was deleted, only to be reposted after further backlash. Neither Shetty nor the production house has issued an official statement addressing the allegations, though a public response is anticipated given the growing unrest.

As Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its box office dominance, the controversy underscores the delicate balance filmmakers must strike when portraying deeply rooted cultural and religious traditions. For the Tuluva community, the film’s success comes at the cost of their heritage, raising questions about artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity.

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